Suver finishes sixth in the elite section of the women's 5000 at Husky Classic...

SEATTLE—Newly minted national cross country champion Mattie Suver (left/photo by Paul Merca) led for most of the way in the top section of the women’s 5000 meter run before being overtaken as day one of the Husky Classic concluded at the Dempsey Indoor on the University of Washington campus.

Suver, the Eastern Washington alum, who won the USA cross country title in Bend, Oregon last Saturday, did most of the leading for the first four kilometers of the race, before five collegians, led by winner Chelsea Blaase of Tennessee, swept past her over the final laps of the race.

Blaase took the victory in 15:43.81, as Suver finished sixth in a time of 15:50.73, earning a qualifying mark for next month’s USA indoor championships in Portland in the 3000 should she opt to compete at the nationals.

In the race, Gig Harbor freshman Brenna Peloquin of Boise State finished 14th in 16:13.61, just ahead of the Huskies’ Charlotte Prouse.

In section 2 of the women’s 5000, Gonzaga’s Shelby Mills finished fourth in 16:25.35, a new school record.

In other events, Oregon’s Edward Cheserek patiently waited through the first 4000 meters before powering away to victory in the men’s 5000, running 13:35.86, the fastest time in the world at that distance so far this season.

Washington’s Aaron Nelson missed his own school record in the race, as he finished ninth in a time of 13:48.41, .99 seconds short of the mark he set a year ago in winning the MPSF title.

A very spirited battle between GNAC rivals Seattle Pacific, Alaska Anchorage, and Simon Fraser in the women’s distance medley relay, with Alaska Anchorage winning in 11:39.44, to SPU’s 11:42.34, with Simon Fraser third in 11:44.39.  UAA’s mark is the second fastest in Division II, while the Falcons sit at #3 in Division II, with SFU at number 5.

On the field, former Long Beach State standout Colin Dunbar won the men’s weight throw with a toss of 75-2.75 (22.93m), the second longest throw in the US going into this weekend.

The Husky Classic resumes Saturday.  Day 1 results are available here.